The scars of Lahore attacks still prevalent on Suranga Lakmal

Pakistan was one of the major hotspots for International cricketing action for a number of years. The country produced a number of memorable matches at the home of cricket in Pakistan- the iconic Gadaffi Stadium at Lahore. However, it all changed post the terror attacks on Sri Lankan team bus in 2009.

Four armed men attacked ferociously at the Sri Lankans en route to the Gadaffi Stadium to resume the days play during one of the Test matches. Many cricketers were harmed during the firing and in the end, the players had to be airlifted from the ground at Lahore.

Sadly, for almost 8 years, that was the last piece of prominent international action the ground saw before competitive cricket finally resumed in the recently concluded Independence Cup.

It was like going to war without weapons, thought I was going to die that day: Lakmal

However, scars of the incident refused to leave some of the Lankans in the squad during the attacks and one of them who still has nightmares thinking about the horrific incident is fast bowler Suranga Lakmal who was on his first tour in 2009.

“That was my first tour with the Sri Lankan team. I don’t like to talk about that day because I still have nightmares of that incident. I thought I was going to die that day. We were lucky. Lord Buddha saved us; It was like going to war without weapons. You are inside a bus, and four guys firing at you and you are like sitting ducks,” revealed Suranga Lakmal according to Cricbuzz.

“Everyone was ducking for cover. There was panic in the bus. I thought I was gone. A splinter pierced into my left leg and I still have it on my leg. When I am in airports, I get into trouble as the metal detectors won’t let me in. Then the Manager comes up and explains to security people my story, and then I am allowed in,” concluded Lakmal.